Remembering "Mr. S."

Friends who became family

Anthony Souffle, Chicago Tribune

"Look at this video of Paul I found," said Kip Plourde as he showed his phone to his ex-wife, Ellen Plourde, one week to the day after Paul Soderdahl, their 106-year-old longtime landlord and friend passed, at their home in Oak Park, Ill.

"Look at this video of Paul I found," said Kip Plourde as he showed his phone to his ex-wife, Ellen Plourde, one week to the day after Paul Soderdahl, their 106-year-old longtime landlord and friend passed, at their home in Oak Park, Ill. (Anthony Souffle, Chicago Tribune)

What began as a verbal rental agreement developed into a bond some close relatives never get to share. Paul Soderdahl lived to be a remarkable 106 years old, filling unexpected years by setting out homemade cookies and root beer for the Plourde kids after school each day. He joined the family at holidays, concerts and graduations ceremonies.